The field was divided into 16 groups of five through a raffle draw conducted by tournament director Tanny Gonzalez during the Coaches’ Workshop held at Club Filipino last Thursday.
Of the 80 schools, only 20 will advance to the elimination rounds.
The top team in each group after the qualifying event will automatically advance to the next round, while the second-placer will compete in a single round-robin to determine the final four qualifiers.
"The response of the teams during the Coaches’ Workshop has been overwhelming and so we’re all looking forward to a toprate Nike 3-on-3 qualifying round ahead of us," said Gonzales.
Regular Nike 3-on-3 participants La Salle-Greenhills, Ateneo, Letran and San Beda banner this year’s roster of powerhouse teams, which also include newcomers Arellano University and Arise and Shine Academy.
Teams from nearby provinces such as Canossa Academy-Lipa, St. Francis of Assisi-Bacoor and Colegio de San Agustin Biñan are also joining the fray.
Four teams have already qualified for the August National finals, namely Davao leg champion Emar Learning Center, Cagayan de Oro titlist Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori School, Bacolod qualifier University of St. La Salle and Cebu winner University of Cebu.
Area winners stand to receive an impressive prize package, including medals, carrying bags with Nike giveaways and Nike footwear and apparel in the National Finals, where the champion team receives P100,000 worth of gift checks and P50,000 worth of GCs for the winning school.